Passenger in an Accident? We Can Help.

Cars, especially in a sprawling city like Tucson, play integral roles in transportation and recreation. We typically enter a friend's or loved one's car without pause, trusting them to safely get us from point A to point B. Unfortunately, accidents are also extremely common on busy roadways. 

If you are traveling as a passenger and get injured in a car accident due to someone else's negligence, you have rights. Working with a personal injury attorney may help determine liability, or fault, for the accident while obtaining financial compensation for sustained physical and mental injuries after a car accident. 

If you ever, unfortunately, find yourself as a passenger in a car accident, it is important to understand the following steps after seeking direct medical attention first.

Determine Liability

Liability, or the person at fault, needs to be determined in any car accident. As a passenger, it is likely that you will not be the liable party responsible for the car accident, leaving your driver or the other driver at fault. In some cases, both drivers are at fault for an accident.

If any driver's involved in the accident is potentially responsible for your injuries there are multiple sources of insurance that may be available to cover your loss. All motor vehicles in Arizona are required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in liability insurance. Most policies also have medical payments coverage which pays a portion of your medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault. In addition to this, there is underinsured motorist coverage that the driver of the car may have or that you may have for your own car which is available to make up the difference between the amount of liability insurance available and the full value of the injury you have suffered. Where a driver is at fault but has no liability insurance, there may be uninsured coverage available in your own policy available to compensate you. Particularly in serious injury and death cases, consulting with a qualified personal injury lawyer is a good idea to assure you obtain all the insurance proceeds you are entitled to.

If the other driver is liable for the accident, you may submit a claim with their insurance policy, but the same issues still apply. If their insurance coverage is insufficient, never hesitate to seek the help of a professional, experienced personal injury attorney to help you get compensation.

Gather Information

There's no such thing as too much information for a case. If you're able to, gather as much information as you can following an accident. 

Note important information such as the date, time, and any witness testimonies at the accident scene. Take as many photos or videos as you can - of the vehicle, your injuries, the scene of the accident, and more. Make sure you get the insurance information for the liable driver. If you don't clearly know which diver is liable, gather insurance information from both parties. After the accident, make sure you receive a copy of the official accident report.

The more information the better when potentially filing a personal injury claim for being a passenger in an accident.

Damages to Consider

Many times passengers hesitate to seek compensation for their injuries, especially if they seem minor at the time; however, there are several potential long-term damages to consider - many of which may not present themselves until after the initial shock of the accidents wears off:

• Extended hospital stays or healthcare needs
• Loss of lifestyle
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income 

The above damages may affect your long-term health or lifestyle and are all crucial to think about when filing a personal injury claim. That's where expert professional representation becomes crucial. If you were in a life-altering car accident due to someone else's negligence, you deserve fair compensation for your sustained injuries and various damages.

Seek Counsel 

The best chance of having a successful claim in seeking the compensation you deserve is with the help of professional, experienced, and caring personal injury attorneys who specialize in car accident cases.  

The AZ Injury Law Team at Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian is here to listen to you, advocate for you, and represent you every step of the way. There is no cost for consultation and we are with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the best legal representation available in Arizona. 

As one of the most successful and dedicated personal injury and medical malpractice law firms in the Tucson area, we've won countless cases, received numerous awards and accolades, have a long history of success for our injured clients, and have recovered more than $150 million in damages for over 40 years.

To schedule a free consultation about a serious car accident injury or motor vehicle accident, contact a Tucson personal injury lawyer at Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian or call (520) 790-5600.